IFL Green Bay Blizzard

Blizzard Derail Express for First Victory

Published on March 2, 2012 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


The Blizzard (1-1) rebounded from a tough loss last weekend in Sioux Falls by putting together a dominating performance in all three facets of the game on its way to a 55-32 victory over the Reading Express (0-2) on Friday night. Green Bay's efficient offense was bolstered by a solid defense that created 4 turnovers and explosive special teams play led by last year's IFL Special Teams Player of the Year B.J. Hill.

The Blizzard scored the only points of the opening quarter when Donovan Porterie found Desmond Tardy open in the back of the end zone on fourth down and goal on Green Bay's second offensive possession. The Express turned the ball over on downs and missed a field goal on their only possessions of the quarter as the Green Bay defense set the tone in the early going.

Reading started off the second quarter on a positive note when defensive lineman Michael London picked off an errant Porterie pass attempt and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. This was the second straight week that the Blizzard quarterback threw an interception that resulted in a score for the opposition. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful however, when the snap was mishandled by the holder and the Blizzard maintained a 7-6 advantage. On the next four possessions the teams traded touchdowns back-and-forth, as Porterie found Bryan Pray in the end zone and La'Ron Council plowed in from one yard out for Green Bay, while Express quarterback A.J. McKenna hit Joshua Floyd and Chris Schubert for scores. The Blizzard took advantage of a personal foul penalty on Reading's Michael Thompson, after a wild snap resulted in a loss of nearly 20 yards, to set up Adrian Trevino for a 30 yard field goal on the last play of the half. As a result, Green Bay held a 24-19 halftime lead.

After the break, Greg Jackson and B.J. Hill took over the game. On Reading's first possession of the third quarter Jackson intercepted a McKenna pass and scampered up the sideline to the Express 13. Jackson also recovered a fumble later in the game and finished with four tackles. Three plays later Trevino tacked on another field goal to stretch the lead to eight. On the ensuing possession, Reading kicker Erik Rockhold was short on a 51 yard field goal attempt and B.J. Hill made him pay by weaving his way through all eight members of the Express on his way to a 55 yard touchdown return. After a McKenna touchdown run from four yards out cut the lead to nine, the Blizzard ran off 21 unanswered points and grabbed control 55-25. That run began with another 40 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Hill and was capped by two consecutive one yard scoring plunges from Council.

After being held scoreless in the third quarter the Express tried to ignite a minor rally midway through the final quarter beginning with a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Ronald Thompson to Jarvis Hamilton. Then, Reading recovered a Rockhold onside kick and was in position to cut into the lead further, when B.J. Hill put his final stamp on the game with an interception on a long pass by Thompson.

B.J. Hill finished with two interceptions, two returns for touchdowns, and three tackles. The offense was led by Council who carried 18 times for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Defensive back Aaron Moore paced the defense with six tackles and two pass break-ups. The win was the first as head coach of the Green Bay Blizzard for Robert Fuller. The Blizzard will next welcome the Cedar Rapids Titans to the Brown County Arena on Friday, March 9th for its home opener.

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Indoor Football League Stories from March 2, 2012


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